10 Ways I’m Being A More Intentional Mom

I don’t know about you but I can get so wrapped up in my to do list and all that needs to be done that I forget they will only be young once. Their childhood is fast approaching an end. Logan is a sophomore in high school for goodness sake. How in the world did that happen? I spend so much time in the past remediating his autism and helping him grow comfortable in his own skin that we didn’t always have fun. I want my children to look back on their childhoods fondly like their Dad. To remember a mom who took time for them and always thought they were important enough to stop what she was doing just for them. It’s always fun to laugh at silly memories too!

10 Ways I’m Being More Intentional As a Mom

1. Taking time each day to play

You can’t be an intentional Mom without being a fun Mom. It’s just not possible. I’m making sure that at least one time each day , play is happening with no strings attached. This looks different some days for each kid but , if at all possible, it’s a group activity. Regardless of whether our chores and lessons are done, we play. A card game after lunch puts a little pep in our step to get lessons done.

Playing at Disney after art

2. Taking time to snuggle

This has to look different for each kid. Let’s face it. 15 year old boys should not snuggle with their moms. But they can sit together and talk. Or watch stupid Youtube videos together. Mom can even pretend she likes snakes or Minecraft. The point here is to spend time together. Not necessarily on a daily basis but a pretty regular one. I can take one kid at a time to run errands . I like to put all electronics away for these times , turn off the radio and just chat.

Snuggle Buddies

3. Saying yes more often than no

Sometimes you have to say no. Can you jump from the trampoline into the pool? Of course not! However, more than you realize , you can say yes. Can I help you make dinner? Can we eat outside? Will you come into the pool with me? Want to read a story with me? Mom, look at this ! These are all questions I can often say yes to if I remember what’s important.

Playing on Tom Sawyer Island for a long time

4. Acting goofy for no reason

Just act as stupid as you can. In public if at all possible.

Dad wearing Madison’s old dance wig

5. Leave or give surprises

Random with lots of love and affection. The sappier the better. The don’t have to cost money even. Just something made or bought with that child in mind.

Slurping up Frappucinos while we walk through the mall in Atlanta

6. Serving others with them

Nothing better than seeing your children learn how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Absolutely nothing. Heaven on earth.

Bringing Cookies to the firemen

7. Speaking their love language

Each child has their own love language. Mine is acts of service. Nothing says I love you more than helping me out or doing something for me. The key is to discover what says I love you most to each child and make sure you do that. Check out The 5 Love Languages of Children if you want to know what I’m talking about. It’s a great book!

Can they be any cuter?

8. Planning fun into our day

To take the edge off of not getting anything checked off my to do list, I add fun items on to it. This gives me the satisfaction of crossing something off while giving them a fun break. Win- win for everyone.

Uno Spin, anyone?

9. Staying up later or getting up earlier

This gives me time to get my work done so the house doesn’t go to hell in a hand basket adding to my stress level. This also gives me time for my quiet time with God. That in itself makes me a better mother and wife.

A wonderful reminder of who I am in Christ!

10. Loving their Dad

The most important thing I can do for my children is to love their father with all my heart and soul. I teach them so much by my actions and set them up for future success in their own marriages and families. Besides leading them to Jesus which is number 1, nothing else is more important. I’m a lucky girl!

This was a great post!!! And spot on with #10. I was military, and then a military spouse & I used to cringe hearing the things some of the ladies would say about their husbands. Or worse yet, what they’d post on FB or their blog. It’s like a total disconnect. They don’t think about who may be seeing those posts (like their kids!!!!). Not to mention, it just makes you look bad when you’re sniping about people behind their back in a public forum.

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About Us

Call me Penny, wife to Michael as well as mom to Logan who has autism and Madison who is pursuing a dance career.
Based on my own personal and often difficult experiences with autism, I hope to educate families of children with autism on how to navigate their world from pre diagnosis to adulthood.